Biography

Joseph Jefferies trained as a student at Yuma Ballet Academy with Jon Cristofori and Kathleen Sinclair, as well as at Harid Conservatory with Olivier Pardina. 

Jefferies went on to dance professionally for 16 years, dancing with Pittsburg Ballet Theater and Ballet Arizona before joining Ballet Memphis for nine years. During his time as a professional dancer, he performed lead roles in works by Trey McIntyre, Lila York, Julia Adams, and Mark Godden. Later, Jefferies joined Les Ballet Trockadero De Monte Carlo. During the course of his professional dancing career, Jefferies has danced principal roles in several ballets including Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Giselle, and Coppélia. 

Jefferies has also worked as a choreographer, creating over thirty works primarily for Ballet Memphis. His work has been selected for RDA National Festival in Montreal. He has won the RDA Emerging Choreographer Scholarship twice, and had his work performed in New York City's Ballet Builders Showcase. He was named "Artist of the Year" in 2002 by the Memphis Commercial Appeal for his dancing and choreography.

As a dance educator, he began teaching adult ballet at Ballet Memphis’s School. He was also a guest teacher for Ballet Memphis and taught the Junior Company for company class, variations, and pas de deux. Since then, he has taught at Studio West Dance Academy, Northeast Youth Ballet, and Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Additionally, he served as Summer Program Director & Resident Guest Artist at Portland Ballet School.